Government launched most secure instant messaging app against Whatsapp

Government launched most secure instant messaging app against Whatsapp

Following the nationwide Covid-19 Situation, the government felt the need to build a platform to ensure secure communication between its employer and employees as they worked from home.

Sandes instant messaging app 

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched an instant messaging app called Sandes as against WhatsApp.

As we all know that Whatsapp, Telegram & Signal are not Indian apps, and hence there is a chance that our India's private data or offical data can be leaked to other countries outside India. Therefore Government felt a need to launch "Sandes App" to maintain a privacy in India as against other countries.

Government Instant Messaging System (GIMS) is a messaging platform for instant communication for both Government and public users.
GIMS can be customized to manage the various types of messaging and other forms of communications in different Government organizations.

Initially it was only available to government officers, now it has been released for the general public as well.

In August 2020, the NIC released its first version of the app, which said that the app could be used by both Central and State Government Officials - "for Intra and Inter-organization communication"

How to Install Sandes App?

This app is available for Android as well as iOS Users. Initially it was only available for Android users and later it's services extended to iOS Users.

Can't find Sandes App on Playstore, Here's how to download it:
How to download Sandes app on iPhone:
Apple App Store -> Search Sandes -> Tap on Get button.
You can also download through this link
https://www.gims.gov.in/dash/dlink under iOS Section.

How to download Sandes app on Android:
Open https://www.gims.gov.in/dash/dlink Click on Download button under Android section.

To Register for the first time in Sandes application. You are required to enter your email address or mobile number(any one)

It allows with Various Features, Such as:

• Making Group and add atleast 50 members
• Broadcast Message
• Forward Message
• Delete Message
• Disappearing Message
• Archive Chats
• Put Status
• Add emojis of your choice
• Allows you to share videos or photos    with up to 500MB, which is more than   WhatsApp.
• Sync Chats/Add new contacts
• Chat Backup through registered email id

Sandes App also provides with some new & interesting features such as Sandes lets you check weather reports of your city in the app. You can add priority or confidential labels to messages, so that the person is aware that the message is confidential and he won't forward it to others, seems to be interesting. There is also a section called “Gimoji,” which displays symbols used in official communication.

Limitations:

1. Sandes app does not let you change your mobile number or email ID after creating an account. So, if you have a new mobile number or lost your email id, then you will have to create a new account and all your chats will be lost. In contrast to this, WhatsApp lets you change phone number without deleting your existing profile.

2. It doesn't provide with Screen lock or fingerprint lock features.

3. It doesn't allows incognito keyboard mode.

4. There is no option to transfer your important chats from other messaging app to this app

Sandes App Privacy Features:

As per the privacy policy of the Sandes app, all messages in an individual or group chats are “End-to-End encrypted for ensuring secure communication.” The policy has clearly stated that the system does not sell or share any personally identifiable information to “any third party, except covered under law enforcement/court matter etc.”

“Any information provided to the system will be protected from unauthorised access, alteration, or destruction.”

As this App is specifically made to keep the records or messages confidential made by the government instant messaging system. It's the most secure messaging application than any other applications till now.